
Lehigh Falls 2-1 to Holy Cross in Patriot League Opener
9/14/2024 8:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer
WORCESTER, Mass. - Lehigh men's soccer dropped a 2-1 decision to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener Saturday night at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium after the Crusaders netted two second-half goals. The Mountain Hawks fell to 1-5-1 (0-1 PL), while the Crusaders jumped to 2-4-1 (1-0 PL).Â
"I really liked how we played in the first half", said head coach Dean Koski. "We brought the right intentions and played with a purpose. In the second half, we didn't. Giving up two goals after restarts is disappointing because we spent a lot of time on this. Our youthfulness revealed itself today."
First-year midfielder Giacomo Zizza's first collegiate goal gave Lehigh the early 1-0 lead as he found the back of the net in the 26th minute. Not only was it Zizza's first collegiate point, but first-year midfielder Bora Turker also picked up his first collegiate point as he was credited with the assist.
Lehigh's defense held Holy Cross scoreless for the majority of the game until Evan Jones netted the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Holy Cross capitalized on the momentum of Jones' goal and Jonathan Klein netted the game-winning goal in the 79th minute. Lehigh was unable to find the late equalizer.Â
Lehigh struggled to create chances on Saturday as Holy Cross held a 15-6 advantage in shots. Despite the Crusaders having nine more shots, both teams finished with five shots on goal. Holy Cross also held a 5-3 lead in corner kicks.Â
Senior goalkeeper Blake Koski recorded three saves in net while Holy Cross' Josh Tubbs tallied four saves. Zizza finished with a team-high of two shots.Â
The Mountain Hawks will be back on the road at Army on Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+.Â
'The rest will be really important for us," Koski. "We are not using a lot of our bench because of the substitution, so it will be good to regroup."
Â
"I really liked how we played in the first half", said head coach Dean Koski. "We brought the right intentions and played with a purpose. In the second half, we didn't. Giving up two goals after restarts is disappointing because we spent a lot of time on this. Our youthfulness revealed itself today."
First-year midfielder Giacomo Zizza's first collegiate goal gave Lehigh the early 1-0 lead as he found the back of the net in the 26th minute. Not only was it Zizza's first collegiate point, but first-year midfielder Bora Turker also picked up his first collegiate point as he was credited with the assist.
Lehigh's defense held Holy Cross scoreless for the majority of the game until Evan Jones netted the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Holy Cross capitalized on the momentum of Jones' goal and Jonathan Klein netted the game-winning goal in the 79th minute. Lehigh was unable to find the late equalizer.Â
Lehigh struggled to create chances on Saturday as Holy Cross held a 15-6 advantage in shots. Despite the Crusaders having nine more shots, both teams finished with five shots on goal. Holy Cross also held a 5-3 lead in corner kicks.Â
Senior goalkeeper Blake Koski recorded three saves in net while Holy Cross' Josh Tubbs tallied four saves. Zizza finished with a team-high of two shots.Â
The Mountain Hawks will be back on the road at Army on Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+.Â
'The rest will be really important for us," Koski. "We are not using a lot of our bench because of the substitution, so it will be good to regroup."
Â
Team Stats
LEH
HC
Goals
1
2
Shots
6
15
Shots on Goal
5
5
Saves
3
3
Corners
3
5
Fouls
14
14
Scoring Plays

Giacomo Zizza (1)
Assisted By: Bora Turker
GOAL by LEH Zizza, Giacomo Assist by Turker, Bora.
25:58

Evan Jones (3)
Assisted By: Jonathan Klein , Jake Williams
GOAL by HC Jones, Evan Assist by Klein, Jonathan and Williams, Jake.
72:49

Jonathan Klein (2)
Assisted By: Evan Jones
GOAL by HC Klein, Jonathan Assist by Jones, Evan.
78:33
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
2025 Lehigh Men's Soccer Season Preview
Tuesday, August 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, October 15
Season Preview: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, August 20
Men's Soccer vs. Loyola
Saturday, October 14